Unique, crazy, and bizarre sports venues

June 7, 2013

There are some incredible architectural sports venues around the world. Millions upon millions of dollars have been pumped into these works of art. Some of these structures are more interesting than the sporting events that take place within them

²UNDATED: In this undated handout provided by ATP, a general view of Qizhong Tennis Center is seen, which was officially opened on October 3, 2005 in Shanghai, China. The tennis center will host the 2005-2007 ATP Tennis Masters Cup. Qizhong Tennis Center is one of the biggest tennis facilities in Asia with a total investment of over RMB 2.4 billion (US$ 290 million). The facility is built on 80 acres in the local Minhang District, about 27 kilometers southwest of the city. It features a dual-purpose indoor-outdoor 15,000-seat center court and has a special roof shaped like a magnolia flower, which can open and close like a lens shutter. (Photo by John Gollings/ATP via Getty Images)

²UNDATED: In this undated handout provided by ATP, a general view of Qizhong Tennis Center is seen, which was officially opened on October 3, 2005 in Shanghai, China. The tennis center will host the 2005-2007 ATP Tennis Masters Cup. Qizhong Tennis Center is one of the biggest tennis facilities in Asia with a total investment of over RMB 2.4 billion (US$ 290 million). The facility is built on 80 acres in the local Minhang District, about 27 kilometers southwest of the city. It features a dual-purpose indoor-outdoor 15,000-seat center court and has a special roof shaped like a magnolia flower, which can open and close like a lens shutter. (Photo by John Gollings/ATP via Getty Images)

DUBAI, UAE - FEBRUARY 22: In preparation for the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open, tennis legend Andre Agassi of the USA and the World's No. 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland, couldn't resist the temptation to have a friendly 'hit' on the world's most unique tennis court, the Helipad of the Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel on February 22, 2005, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Standing 321 metres high on a man made island, the majestic Burj Al Arab is without doubt the most recognizable hotel in the world. The hotel's helipad, which is situated 211 metres high covers a surface area of 415 square metres. Roger Federer is the reigning champion of the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open and is making his third appearance in the tournament. For Agassi this is his first time to appear in the ATP tournament where beaten Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic. (Photo by David Cannon for Dubai Duty Free via Getty Images)

DUBAI, UAE - FEBRUARY 22: In preparation for the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open, tennis legend Andre Agassi of the USA and the World's No. 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland, couldn't resist the temptation to have a friendly 'hit' on the world's most unique tennis court, the Helipad of the Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel on February 22, 2005, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Standing 321 metres high on a man made island, the majestic Burj Al Arab is without doubt the most recognizable hotel in the world. The hotel's helipad, which is situated 211 metres high covers a surface area of 415 square metres. Roger Federer is the reigning champion of the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open and is making his third appearance in the tournament. For Agassi this is his first time to appear in the ATP tournament where beaten Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic. (Photo by David Cannon for Dubai Duty Free via Getty Images)

LONDON - FEBRUARY 07: A general view of Wembley Stadium at night on February 7, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

LONDON - FEBRUARY 07: A general view of Wembley Stadium at night on February 7, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

9DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 17: A view of new development Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates is seen from the air December 17, 2005 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ski Dubai offers skiiing, tobboganing and a 'real snow' experience in the heart of the desert. It is the biggest snowdome in the world and an example of the boldness of vision present in new developments in Dubai. The construction hasn't been without its problems though and the extreme temperature has caused glass to crack separating the two environments (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

9DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 17: A view of new development Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates is seen from the air December 17, 2005 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ski Dubai offers skiiing, tobboganing and a 'real snow' experience in the heart of the desert. It is the biggest snowdome in the world and an example of the boldness of vision present in new developments in Dubai. The construction hasn't been without its problems though and the extreme temperature has caused glass to crack separating the two environments (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

5ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 29: A general view of the Abu Dhabi track with the futuristic Yas Hotel in the background during previews to the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on October 29, 2009 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

5ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 29: A general view of the Abu Dhabi track with the futuristic Yas Hotel in the background during previews to the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on October 29, 2009 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

QBEIJING - MAY 24: A general view of the National Stadium, known as the 'Birds Nest' during day three of the Good Luck Beijing 2008 China Athletics Open at National Stadium on May 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. The event is the final test event to be held at the stadium prior to the 2008 Olympic Games. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

QBEIJING - MAY 24: A general view of the National Stadium, known as the 'Birds Nest' during day three of the Good Luck Beijing 2008 China Athletics Open at National Stadium on May 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. The event is the final test event to be held at the stadium prior to the 2008 Olympic Games. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

KIEV, UKRAINE - NOVEMBER 09: General view of the Olympic Stadium on November 9, 2011 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images)

KIEV, UKRAINE - NOVEMBER 09: General view of the Olympic Stadium on November 9, 2011 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images)

6BEIJING - JULY 06: A top view of the Olympic Park, commonly known as the Olympic Green, July 6, 2008 in Beijing, China. Beijing's Olympic Green is the core of the Olympic Games and the site of thirteen venues, including the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center. (Photo by Guang Niu/Getty Images)

6BEIJING - JULY 06: A top view of the Olympic Park, commonly known as the Olympic Green, July 6, 2008 in Beijing, China. Beijing's Olympic Green is the core of the Olympic Games and the site of thirteen venues, including the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center. (Photo by Guang Niu/Getty Images)

MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 19: General view of Allianz Arena prior to the UEFA Champions League group E match between FC Bayern Muenchen and CFR 1907 Cluj at Allianz Arena on October 19, 2010 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 19: General view of Allianz Arena prior to the UEFA Champions League group E match between FC Bayern Muenchen and CFR 1907 Cluj at Allianz Arena on October 19, 2010 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

BRAGA, PORTUGAL - JUNE 18: A general view of play during the UEFA Euro 2004, Group C match between Bulgaria and Denmark at the Municiple de Braga Stadium on June 18, 2004 in Braga, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

BRAGA, PORTUGAL - JUNE 18: A general view of play during the UEFA Euro 2004, Group C match between Bulgaria and Denmark at the Municiple de Braga Stadium on June 18, 2004 in Braga, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

GDANSK, POLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: General view of the PGE Arena prior to the International friendly match between Poland and Germany on September 6, 2011 in Gdansk, Poland. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

GDANSK, POLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: General view of the PGE Arena prior to the International friendly match between Poland and Germany on September 6, 2011 in Gdansk, Poland. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 23: (NO SALES) A general view of Nelson Mandela Bay during the Fifa final Inspection tour on March 24, 2010 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa via Getty Images)

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 23: (NO SALES) A general view of Nelson Mandela Bay during the Fifa final Inspection tour on March 24, 2010 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa via Getty Images)

CHARLESTON, SC - NOVEMBER 09: Tayler Hill #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts a shot against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Walmart Carrier Classic on the deck of the USS Yorktown on November 9, 2012 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

CHARLESTON, SC - NOVEMBER 09: Tayler Hill #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts a shot against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Walmart Carrier Classic on the deck of the USS Yorktown on November 9, 2012 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 14: General view of the Olympic Stadium on October 14, 2012 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 14: General view of the Olympic Stadium on October 14, 2012 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)